School board meets - yes, again!
In case you missed the *couple* of warnings we've given that the school board is going to meet Tuesday night, here is another one:
The school board meets at 5 p.m. (NOTE THE EARLIER START TIME) Tuesday at its main offices on Eugene Street.
And yes, you guessed it. Next year's budget is the biggest topic on the agenda, which you can read here.
Buried about halfway in the agenda, but maybe not halfway through the actual meeting, is a chance for the public to once again speak on the 2005-06 budget that the board is considering.
Speakers actually get two options to speak at this meeting. The first should come around 6:45 p.m. and is limited to about 45 minutes and NON budget concerns. Speakers get the usual three minutes to speak.
The second comment period has no time limit, although individual speakers are still bound by the 3-minute rule. This comment period is just for the budget, which the board will take up for discussion immediately after hearing from the public.
The meeting starts earlier than usual - at 5 p.m. instead of 6:45 p.m. This is the time of year the board goes through a lot of retirements and resignations. The early start allows them to get through a closed session to discuss those personnel issues before voting on them later in the meeting.
The board typically handles closed sessions at the end of its meetings. But on occasion, the board moves closed sessions earlier on the agenda as was done for Tuesday's meeting.
The earlier start also allows the board to recognize the Employee of the Month, Dudley High School's winning step team and Northwest High School's winning "We the People" team.
The consent agenda, which is essentially housekeeping, includes items ranging from construction and other contracts to buying 69 acres at about $1.5 million for the replacement Jamestown Middle School.
But just like housekeeping, there's the potential for more work to be done than a first glance at the consent agenda's "chores" might indicate. The board sometimes doesn't quite "consent" to everything on the consent agenda and can end up discussing it at length.
If you want to sign up to speak at either of the public comment sessions, call the board offices at 370-8100. You can also sign up before the meeting.
Speakers generally get their turn in the order they sign up. Anyone who doesn't get to speak at the beginning has the option of speaking at the end. However, few people choose this option since board meetings often run late into the night.
Comments (5)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
Jennifer,
Thanks for the info. I'm glad they finally posted the agenda. I think a lot of folks will be interested to read (under Board Discussion IX) a discussion led by Dr. Routh regarding "Policy IEM, Magnet and Option Schools and Programs". Follow the links and read the 2 pdf files.
Of particular note:"The district’s administration, an individual school, or members of the community may present proposals to create a new magnet school or option program, or, to discontinue an existing magnet or option
program, to the Board of Education or to the Superintendent."
Somehow do you think the folks in High Point will be excluded from presenting a proposal "to discontinue an existing magnet or option program"????
Posted on May 6, 2005 5:16 PM
The High Point Plan is not an option. It is forced bussing by a lottery.
Posted on May 6, 2005 5:48 PM
First, yes it is really Barbara Ann. Blood Type A-, height 5'4", green eyes, won't give my weight. The kids tell me I am either 29 or 35 so that is one good reason right there to keep teaching.
I had the following planned before slow DOTC had obviously started to set in (Death of the Chalkboard. I hear there is a new blog site in town now with no names required and true Freedom of Speech encouraged.) Also I knew Hogg would miss my long posts and might suffer from withdrawal until he found the new blog site.
This post has nothing to do with the above lead subject (except maybe they could budget to buy teachers a book for a change). I just wanted to share with my teacher friends who are now afraid to post here. Also when GCS and the SB are reading this site as they often do, maybe they will encourage teachers to purchase the following book if the county has no money left for them because of buying new buses, etc. etc. etc.
While subbing the other day, I had the opportunity to read part of a great book entitled "Setting Limits in the Classroom" by Robert J. MacKenzie.
Per a discussion about a week ago on one of these strands and someone saying you can't have a plan for disruptive, fighting students and I suggested that one needs a definite plan (not the same as a disaster, etc.) I share the following:
Chapter 12 MANAGING EXTREME BEHAVIOR
"Most schools have procedures for handling emergencies such as fires, power failures, and natural disasters, but few schols adequately prepare teachers for the types of emergencies they're most likely to encounter in the classroom. I'm talking about extreme acts of defiance or disruption, destructive behavior, and violent or assaultive behavior. In these situations, we CANNOT AFFORD to fly by the seat of our pants and operate without a plan. The cost to our personal safety, the safety and welfare of our students, and to our careers is too great. We need effective plans and porcedures to protect us. This chapter will attempt to fill the gap and provide you with the procedures you need to manage the extreme behavior your're most likely to face."
Remember, that I said it first here on the CB.
The book goes on to talk about definite procedures. Notice the author used the words "most likely to encounter". This will more than likely happen more than a tornado hitting or a the need for a real lock down.
The book goes on to talk about back-up by the administration and support.
I rest my case.
Posted on May 7, 2005 2:04 PM
Thank you Barbara Ann for mentioning this book. A teacher friend from Ohio has mentioned it to me before, but I still haven't made time to read it. I will definitely have to read it now that I know the complete title and author.
On another note, I wanted to say that I was once one of those teachers afraid to speak out and possibly face repercussions or lose my job. While I understand why my fellow teachers "in the trenches" need to protect their identities, I know that I can no longer be afraid. I now tell my principals when I do not agree with them or when something can be improved. I also share things here and I'm at the point that I don't care who reads it. I am so fed up with how things are being run and how poorly some of our best teachers are treated that the consequences no longer scare me. I just wish more teachers felt this way and would be willing to come together and speak out instead of privately whinging and doing nothing. I know this does not relate to the above discussion, but I needed to vent.
Posted on May 7, 2005 10:47 PM
Please visit my directory:
Webverzeichnis, - Kostenlos, Kostenlos - Erotik, Erotik - Begleitservice, Begleitservice - Shopping, Shopping - Mode, Mode - Fitness, Fitness - Partnersuche, Partnersuche.
Posted on June 21, 2006 3:19 AM